Switch stand



March 31, 1931. J, Q STRQNG ETAL 1,798,767

SWITCH STAND v Filed )lay l0, 193.0 2 Sheets-Sheet l l co,

March 3l, 1931. 1 a STRONG E1' AL 1,798,767

SWITCH STAND 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed May l0, 1930 I I GO lll/1111 PML LJW6] mi @4m fill Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMESB. STRONG, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., PAUL HOIEMAN, 0F LA GRANGE, AND WHIT-TIER PERDUE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO BAMAIO AJAX CORPORATION,0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SVIT CH STAND Applicationfiled May 10, 1930. Serial No. 451,232.

The invention relates to switch stands which are used for operatingrailroad switches.

According to a preferred form of the invention, a switch stand isprovided by which the switch points may be manually operated from oneposition to the other and locked in either position. Spring assembliesmay be provided for allowing a train trailing the switch to displace theswitch from either set position, if the switch is set against the train.If desired, a buffer or dash pot arrangement may be provided forpreventing the quick return of the switch points to their set positionwhen moved by a train until the last wheel has passed over the switch. Avisual signal may be provided to indicate the true po-sition of theswitch points at all times. The actuating mechanism for operat ing` theswitch points, the spring return mechanism and the buffer mechanism maybe all located in the same housing.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularlyT pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the modeof its operation and the manner of its organization may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which `Fig. 1is an elevation with parts in section of the switch stand;

Fig. 2 is a section on the 1; and

Fig. 3 is av section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

lnthe following description and in the claims parts will be identifiedby speciiic names for convenience, but they are intended L to be asgeneric in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Lilie reference characters denote like parts in the several figuresofthe drawings.

1n the drawings accompanyingr and forming part of this specification, apractical co1nmercial embodiment of the invention is shown, but as suchillustration is primarily for purposes of disclosure, it will be understood that the structure may be modified in various respects withoutdeparture from the broad spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter defined and claimed.

Referring now to the drawings, the switch stand is shown suitably boltedor spiked to the cross-ties 10. The switch stand comprises a housing 11which is separable into a llower section 12 and upper sections 13, 111and Secured within the lower section 12 is a pair of spring assemblies16 and 17. Since these spring assemblies are identical in constructionand in mounting, a description of the spring assembly 17 only will begiven.

The spring assembly 17 comprises a bolt 18 passing through the wall ofthe section 12 anda lug 19 projecting from the bottom of the section.Disposed upon the bolt 18 is a pair of sleeves 2O and 21 between whichis positioned a coil spring 22 surrounding the bolt 18.

Surrounding the sleeves 20 and 21 and spring 22 is a third sleeve 23having a Hange- 24. at one end which engages a iange 25 on the sleeve20. A removable flange 26 is threaded onto the sleeve 23 at its otherend for engagement with `t-he flange 27 on the sleeve 21. A lug orabutment 28 is secured to the sleeve 23 as shown.

Journaled in the upper section 14 is a star block 29 having four rollers30, 31, 32 and 33 journaled between suitable lugs and positioned at thecorners of a rectangle. It will be seen that the lug 28 is normallypositioned between rollers 32 and 33 while the lug 34 on the otherspring assembly 16 is normally positioned between the rollers and 31.

For suitably controlling the movement of the star block 29 a dash pot orbuier mechanism 35 is provided. VThe buffer 35 comprises a cylinder 36within which is positioned a piston 37 having a piston rod 38 connectedto the star block 29 by a pivot 39. The cylinder 3G is connected to thewall of section 12 by a pivot 40. i

The details of construction of the buffer 35 are well known and inthemselves form no part of the present invention, except in combinationwith the rest of the apparatus. Briefly, the cylinder 36 is providedwith a groove 41 extending for part of its length. A bypass passage 42is provided for connecting the ends of the cylinder. A sleeve valve 143in passage 42 retards passage of the retarding fluid through thepassage. A oneway valve 43 is also provided for preventing any iiow ofthe retarding fluid through it in one direction and :tor allowing a freeflow of retarding fluid through it in the other direction.

The star block 29-has a square seat v44 in which is seated a square end45 on the locking block or sliding sleeve 46. lVithin the sleeve 46which has a square opening is a square or inner sleeve 47. Within thesquared or inner sleeve is a square spindle 48 which has circularbearings at 49 and at 50 on the star block 29 and at 51 on the bottom ofthe casing section 12. Secured to the upper end of the spindle 48 is asuitable signal 52 and at the lower end of the spindle 48 is secured acrank arm 53 to which is pivoted a connecting rod 54 which extends tothe switch points, as is well known in the art. y

i A handle 55 is provided which is pivoted to a lug 56 on the squaresleeve 47. A pairof lugs 57 is provided on each side of the slidingsleeve 46 between which are disposed the bifurcated arms 58 of thehandle 55. A lug 59 is provided on the slidingsleeve'V 46 for seatingwithin a slot 6() in the handle 55. A hole 61 may be provided in theylug 59 for the reception of a particular lug or other locking device(not shown) to lock the switch points in set position, as is well knownin the art.

In operation, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, theswitchpoints are in one Yset position. lVhen it is desired to operate theswitch points to the other set position the locking device cooperatingwith the hole 61 is removed and the handle is raised to disengage thesquared end 45 from its seat 44, and then the concentric members 46, 47and 48 are rotated 90o in which position the squared end 45 is reseatedin the seat 44. The handle 55 may be locked in this position.

It will be noted that when the switch points are operated as abovedescribed the star block 29 remains stationary, the crank arm 53 on theend of spindle 48 alone turning to operate the switch points.

It, however, the switch points are set against a train and the traintrails the switch block 29. The rotation of the star block 29 causes thelug 28 on one spring assembly 17 to move in one direction and the lug 34on the other spring assembly 16 to move in the other directioncompressing the springs therein. .The rotation of the star block 29 willalso operate the buffer 35. It will be seen that the piston 37 willbemoved to the right by the wheels of the train and that no substantialimpediment will be offered by the buffer at the first part of itsmovement due to the groove 41 nor at the last part of its movement dueto the one-way valve 43, allowing the bypass` of the retarding iuid. Toprevent springs of the spring assemblies 16 and 17 from returning theswitch points to set position between passage of the wheels of thetrain, the sleeve valve 143 retards the back iiow of retarding fluid,the buffer 35 thus preventing the quick return lof the switch pointsbetween the passage of the successive wheels of the train. v

After the train has passed, however, the displacing force of the wheelsbeing removed, the springs ot the spring assemblies 16V and 17 slowlyforce the switch points to their set position. The movement of thepiston 37 may be comparatively slow until they have almost reached theirset position, at which point the movement ofthe piston may beaccelerated due to the action of the groove 4l. It will be understoodthat'this action of the buffer and' of the springs 'will take place ineither set position of the switch points.

Thus a switch stand has been described which is compact, having all ofthe operating parts enclosed within a housing where they are protectedfrom dirt and from injury. The switch stand is rigid and permits freeoperation ot the switch points from one position to the other. Thepoints must be fully thrown before the switch stand can be latched, andthe target or signal always indicates the position of the switch points.The spring mechanisms, for accomplishing the automatic return, arelocated within the housing and are independently connected 'with theswitch stand spindle through roller bearings and either of the springassemblies will automatically return the trailed switch points tooriginal set position when set against train movement. The buffer isalso located within the housing and allows free opening of the points bythe train but retards their return to set position so that the pointswill remain open until the last pair of wheels has passed. At this pointthe points may be returned to set position as slowly as desired untilalmost completely returned, when the points may be closed rapidly to setposition.

Vhile certain novel features of the invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in theformsV and details les of the device illustrated and in its operationmay be made by those skilled in the art withont departing 'from thespirit of the invention.

Vi/*hat is claimed is:

l. In a switch stand, a. switch stand casing, means in said casing foroperating the switch points to either set position, independentyieldable devices in said casing for permitting the switch points to bedisplaced from set position by a train, in either set position of thepoints, and means in said casing for holding said points in displacedposition between the passage of successive wheels of the .n train butallowing' either or both of said yieldable devices to return the switchpoints to set position after the train has passed, and a signalsupported on said casing indicating the position of the switch points atall times.

Q. In a switch stand, a switch stand casing, means in said casing foroperating the switch points to either set position, yieldable devices insaid casing 'for permitting the switch points to be displaced from setposition by a train, and means in said casing for holding said points indisplaced position between the passage of successive wheels of the trainbut allowing said devices to return the switch points to set positionafter the train has passed.

In a switch stand, a switch stand casing, lneans in said casing foroperating the switch points to either set position, independentyieldable devices in said casing for permitting the switch points to bedisplaced from set position by a train, in either set position of thepoints, and means in said casing for holding said points in displacedposition between the passage of successive wheels of the train butallowing either or both of said devices to return the switch points toset position after the train has passed.

4. A switch stand comprising means for operating the switch points toeither set position.` independent yieldable returning devices forpermitting the switch points to be displaced by a train and forindependently returning the switch points to set position, and means forholding said points in displaced position between the passage ofsuccessive wheels of a train but allowing either or both of saidyieldable devices to return the switch points to set position after thetrain has passed.

5. In a switch stand, means itor operating the switch points to eitherset position, yieldable devices for permitting the switch points to bedisplaced from set position by a train, means for holding said points indisplaced position between successive wheels of the train but allowingsaid devices to return the switch points to set position after the trainhas passed, and a signal indicating the position of the switch points atall times.

6. In a switch stand, a casing, a star block journaled in said casingand having four rectangularly arranged rollers, a pair of horizontal,double actingspring assemblies on opposite sides of said star block,each spring assembly having a lug arranged between a pair of oppositerollers, a buffer comprising cylinder and piston members, one of saidmembers being pivoted to said star block, the other of said membersbeing pivoted to said casing, a locking block having an irregular partengaging an irregular part on said star block, a sleeve Within saidlocking block, a spindle carrying a signal and disposed within saidsleeve, a handle pivoted to said sleeve, `said locking block havingguide lugs for said handle, said handle and locking block havinginterengaging parts to lock the switch stand, a crank arm secured tosaid spindle, and a connecting rod pivoted to said crank arm and`adapted to extend to the switch points, said locking block, sleeve andspindle having non-rotatable relation.

7. In a switch stand, a casing, a star block journaled in said casingand having four rectangularly arranged rollers, a pair of horizontal,double acting spring assemblies on opposite sides of said star block,each spring assembly having a lug arranged between a pair of oppositerollers, a locking block having an irregular part engaging an irregularpart on said star block, a sleeve within said locking block, a spindlecarrying a signal and disposed within said sleeve, a handle pivotedtosaid sleeve, said locking block having guide lugs for said handle, acrank arm secured to said spindle, and a connecting rod pivoted to saidcrank arm and adapted to extend to the switch points, said lockingblock, sleeve, and spindle having non-rotatable relation, and a devicelocated in said casing for allowing said spring assemblies tobe operatedbut retarding their return.

8. In a switch stand, a. casing, a star block journaled in said casingand having four, rectangularly arranged rollers, a pair of horizontal,double acting spring assemblies on opposite sides of said star block,each spring assembly having a lug arranged between a pair of oppositerollers, a buffer including1 cylinder and piston members, one of saidmembers being pivoted to said stai' block, the other of said membersbeing pivotcd to said casing, a locking block having a noncircular endengaging a non-circular end on said star block, a non-circular sleevewithin said locking block, a non-circular spindle carrying a signal anddisposed within said sleeve, a handle pivoted to said sleeve andengaging said locking block, said locking block having guide lugs forsaid handle, said handle and locking block having interenga ing parts tolock the switch stand, a crank arm secured to said spindle, a connectingrod pivoted to said crank arm and adapted to extend to theV switchpoints, whereby said handle may be locked with the switch points ineither set position, and said'switch points may be displaced from setposition by a train against ywhich the switch is set, in either setpositions of the points, and said points will remain in displacedposition between the passage of successive wheels of the train but willreturn to the set position yafter the train has passed, said signalindicating the positio-n` of the switch points at all times.

- 9. In a switch stand, a casing, a star block journaled in said casingand having four, rectangularly arranged rollers, a pair of horizontal,double acting spring assemblies on opposite sides of said star block,each spring assembly having a lug arranged between a pair of oppositerollers, a bufer comprising a cylinder and piston, said piston beingpivoted to said sta-r block, said cylinder being pivoted to said casing,a locking block having a squared end seating in a square seat in saidstar block, a squared sleeve within said locking block, a squaredspindle carrying a signal and disposed within said squared sleeve, abifurcated handle pivoted to said sleeve and straddling said lockingblock, said locking block having guide lugs for said handle, said handleand lockingblock having interengaging parts to lock the switch stand, acrank arm secured to said spindle, a connecting rod pivoted to saidcrank arm and adapted to extend to the switch points, whereby saidhandle may be locked with the switch points in either set position, andsaid switch points may be displaced from set position by a train againstwhich the switch is set, in either set position of the points, and saidpoints will remain in displaced position between the passage ofsuccessive wheels of the train but will return to the set position afterthe train has passed, said signal indicating the position of the switchpoints at all times.

10. In a switch stand, a switch stand casing, an operating memberpassing through said casing, a flag at the top of said operating member,a crank at the bottom of said operating member for connection to devicesfor operating the switch, a locking member in said casing, means forrotating said operating member to operate the switch and means forplacing said locking` member and operating member into and out ofinterlocking relation, yieldable devices in said casing between saidcasing and locking member, whereby the switch may be thrown by a traintrailing the switch and the flag always moves with the switch. y

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals.

JAMES B. STRONG. [1.. s.]` PAUL HOFFMAN. [1.. s] VHITTIER PERDUE. [11.s]

